Stadium Woods: Virginia Tech’s Old Growth Forest
Stadium Woods is 11.3 acres of rare, urban old-growth forest located near Lane Stadium on the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg, VA. This site is the web presence of Friends of Stadium Woods, an all-volunteer, grassroots organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the woods.
In 2011 and 2012 Stadium Woods was threatened by the proposed construction of the athletic indoor football practice training facility. Thanks to local and campus activism that attracted national attention, Virginia Tech decided to build the facility elsewhere on campus, sparing the woods.
Although Virginia Tech has no plans to build in Stadium Woods in the future, a conservation easement is the only vehicle that would permanently protect the Old Growth Forest.
Friends of Stadium Woods’ primary mission is to ensure the woods’ permanent protection and preservation. Learn more about our goals, fundraising efforts, organization, and old-growth forests and Stadium Woods itself.
Goals
Maintenance and Care
We support the majority of the principles and goals of the Forest Stewardship Plan for Virginia Tech’s Old-Growth Forest near Lane Stadium. We also work closely with Jamie King, Virginia Tech University Arborist, on stewardship of the Old Growth Forest.
See this video with Jamie King to learn more about the Old Growth Forest and all the urban trees on campus.
Research and Education
- Support students and professors with research grants to study the Old Growth Forest
- Conduct educational activities for children and 4-H groups
- Preserve the woods as an outdoor laboratory and classroom for Virginia Tech students and professors
- Provide educational opportunities for Virginia Master Naturalists, Master Gardeners, the Virginia Native Plant Society, bird watchers, and others
- Protect the vitally important and essential ecosystem services of the woods which benefit the university, the town, and the New River Valley
Fundraising
Stadium Woods Endowment Fund
Established in 2012, the fund is managed and invested by the Community Foundation of the New River Valley. As of January 2022 the fund was valued at $25,000. Please give to help us fund our goals!
Grant Awards
Our current grant focus is funding undergraduate research in the Old Growth Forest.
In 2018 Dr. Jordan Metzgar student Allen Milby received a $1500 grant. Christine Herzog, another student of Dr. Metzgar, received $1500 in 2022. See the research grants page for descriptions of their work.
Preservation
- Advocate for conservation easement
- Legal fees related to preservation
- Reimbursement for basic administrative expenses from designated expense account